Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a plurality of unit circuits connected to a detection line, and a signal output circuit. Each of the plurality of unit circuits includes a light receiving device including an electrode connected to a wire and an electrode, and a transistor that controls electrical connection between the electrode and the detection line. The signal output circuit includes a light receiving device in a light-blocking state including an electrode connected to a wire and an electrode, and a detection circuit that outputs a detection signal according to a potential of a detection point between the electrode and the electrode when the light receiving device and the light receiving device are in a reverse bias state between the wire and the wire.

Abstract: A camera module according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a housing which comprises a supporting part and in which the inside space therein is divided by the supporting part into a first space and a second space; an image sensor housed in the first space; a lens unit arranged on the image sensor; a light-outputting unit arranged between the lens unit and the housing; and a light source unit arranged in the second space so as to correspond to the light-outputting unit, wherein the light-outputting unit outputs light incident from the light source unit to the outside.

Abstract: A photo capturing method includes recognizing a capturing target of a preview image of a camera device. A preview ratio of the preview image is obtained by calculating a ratio between an area of a smallest rectangle enclosing the capturing target in the preview image and an area of the preview image is calculated. A category that the preview image belongs to is determined according to the capturing target. An average ratio of the determined category is obtained. Once the preview ratio is not equal to the average ratio of the determined category, a capturing range of the camera device is adjusted.

Abstract: A focusing method is disclosed, comprising: recording image statistical information corresponding to each position of a focusing lens from the beginning of focusing, wherein the image statistical information comprises a luminance value of image; determining whether the current scene is a point light source scene or not based on the recorded image statistical information; and executing a focusing process based on a regional luminance variance of image when the current scene is determined as a point light source scene. Wherein, the regional luminance variance of image denotes a mean of the square of differences between luminance values of a plurality of regions partitioned from an image and an average luminance value of the image. The method of the present disclosure can effectively improve the stability and accuracy of focusing effect under a point light source scene.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods are described to assist in reducing dark current in an active pixel sensor. In various embodiments, a potential barrier arrangement is configured to block the flow of charge carriers generated outside a photosensitive region. In various embodiments, a potential well-potential barrier arrangement is formed to direct charge carriers away from the photosensitive region during an integration time.

Abstract: An aerial camera system including a plurality of main reels, a camera interface/safety reel and a stabilized camera head. The camera head is supported from main cables from the main reels with a safety reel cable providing power, data and video communication between the camera head and a main computer system. Each of the main reels, the camera interface/safety reel and the camera head are in communication with the main computer system, which controls the feeding and reeling in of the main cables. Further, the computer system controls the feeding and reeling in of the safety reel cable, which typically only follows the camera head as it moves in three-dimensional space, but may in emergency mode support the weight of the camera head and be used to slowly pull the camera head up and out of the way so that it does not interfere with any activity below the flight area.

Abstract: An image sensor pixel noise measurement circuit includes a pixel array on an integrated circuit chip. The pixel array includes a plurality of pixels including a first pixel to output a first image data signal, and a second pixel to output a second image data signal. A noise amplification circuit on the integrated circuit chip is coupled to receive the first and second image data signals from the pixel array. The noise amplification circuit is coupled to output an amplified differential noise signal in response to the first and second image data signals received from the pixel array. A fast Fourier transform (FFT) analysis circuit on the integrated circuit chip is coupled to transform the amplified differential noise signal output by the noise amplification circuit from a time domain to a frequency domain to analyze a pixel noise characteristic of the pixel array.

Abstract: A CMOS image sensor for a camera assembly is provided, having a sensor die with opposing faces, an upper face, and a lower face. On the upper face, the sensor die is provided with a sensor array, an analog-to-digital conversion module, a digital logic circuit, and a timing and clock control circuit. The sensor array is substantially centered on the sensor die. The analog-to-digital conversion module is split into two submodules. Each submodule is disposed adjacent to the sensor array and positioned on opposing sides of the sensor array. The digital logic circuit forms a first row. The timing and clock control circuit and the analog signal processing circuit are adjacent and form a second row. The first and second rows have similar dimensions and are disposed on opposite sides of the sensor array.

Abstract: There is used an XY address type solid-state image pickup element (for example, a MOS type image sensor) in which two rows and two columns are made a unit, and color filters having a color coding of repetition of the unit (repetition of two verticals (two horizontals) are arranged, and when a thinning-out read mode is specified, a clock frequency of a system is changed to 1/9, and on the basis of the changed clock frequency, a pixel is selected every three pixels in both a row direction and a column direction to successively read out a pixel signal.

Abstract: An example system that allows a camera enabled application, such as an augmented reality application, to run in a protected area may include a first device including a camera, the camera including a secure mode of operation and a display, an image processing module configured to convert image data from the camera to encoded data when the camera is in the secure mode and protect image data stored in the system, an encryption module configured to encrypt encoded data from the image processing module, and a protected audiovisual path mechanism configured to securely send augmented encoded data to the display.

Abstract: A pixel sensor array includes a plurality of pixel sensors having a first gain and a plurality of pixel sensors having a second gain less than the first gain.

Abstract: There is provided an image sensor including at least three pixel transfer control signal lines, on a per line basis, configured to control exposure start and end timings of a pixel in order for exposure timings of a plurality of the pixels constituting one line in a specific direction to have at least three patterns.

Abstract: The present technology relates to a solid-state imaging device and a driving method thereof, and an electronic apparatus that make it possible to improve the precision of phase difference detection while suppressing deterioration of resolution in a solid-state imaging device having a global shutter function and a phase difference AF function. Provided is a solid-state imaging device including: a pixel array unit including, as pixels including an on-chip lens, a photoelectric conversion unit, and a charge accumulation unit, imaging pixels for generating a captured image and phase difference detection pixels for performing phase difference detection arrayed therein; and a driving control unit configured to control driving of the pixels. The imaging pixel is formed with the charge accumulation unit shielded from light.

Abstract: A wearable electronic device and method of use are disclosed, including a main body, and at least one strap fixed to the main body. The strap includes a core member mounted with at least one electronic component, an electric connector disposed on the core member, and a band member enclosing at least one part of the core member disposed with the electric connector, wherein the at least one electronic component is electrically coupled to the main body through the electric connector.

Abstract: A solid-state image taking device including a pixel section and a scan driving section wherein on each pixel column included in the pixel area determined in advance to serve as a pixel column having the unit pixels laid out in the scan direction, the opto-electric conversion section and the electric-charge holding section are laid out alternately and repeatedly, and on each of the pixel columns in the pixel area determined in advance, two the electric-charge holding sections of two adjacent ones of the unit pixels are laid out disproportionately toward one side of the scan direction with respect to the optical-path limiting section or the opto-electric conversion section.

Abstract: A photographing method, including receiving a first instruction generated when a user executes a first operation on a mobile terminal, determining, according to the first instruction, whether the first operation matches a first preset operation, and powering on hardware used for photographing in response to the first operation matching the first preset operation, and preloading a camera application resource. The method further includes receiving a second instruction generated when a user executes a second operation on the mobile terminal, determining, according to the second instruction, whether the second operation matches a second preset operation, and executing a photographing action in response to the second operation matching the second preset operation. A mobile terminal is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention is directed to exposure control in a camera. An exemplary method comprises determining depth information associated with a portion of an image frame; obtaining exposure data associated with the portion of the image frame; and controlling an amount of exposure for the portion of the image frame based on the depth information and the exposure data.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus includes an image pickup device, a VCM that performs a pixel shift, and a microcomputer that causes the VCM to perform pixel shifts to a plurality of different positions and causes the image pickup device to pick up an image and acquire a plurality of images. The microcomputer causes the VCM to perform the pixel shift in pixel shift order in which an image higher in image quality than one image acquired from the image pickup device can be composed even when image processing is performed on the basis of two or more images less than a predetermined number necessary for composition of a high-quality image.

Abstract: A solid-state image pickup apparatus includes a photoelectric conversion unit, a charge storage unit, and a floating diffusion unit, all disposed on a semiconductor substrate. The solid-state image pickup apparatus further includes a first gate electrode disposed on the semiconductor substrate and extending between the photoelectric conversion unit and charge storage unit, and a second gate electrode disposed on the semiconductor substrate and extending between the charge storage unit and the floating diffusion unit. The solid-state image pickup apparatus further includes a light shielding member including a first part and a second part, wherein the first part is disposed over the charge storage unit and at least over the first gate electrode or the second gate electrode, and the second part is disposed between the first gate electrode and the second gate electrode such that the second part extends from the first part toward a surface of the semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: Systems and methods are presented for modifying image parameters of an image to be captured by an image capturing device based on input from a wearable computing device. In some embodiments, the system receives image data, determines an image parameter based on the image data, and receives data from a wearable computing device positioned proximate to a subject of the image. The system modifies the image parameter based on the data received from the wearable computing device and captures the image data using the modified image parameter.